The internet suddenly got a whole lot groovier when Evil Dead: The Game was announced at The Game Awards 2020. Coinciding with the original film's 40th anniversary, this game is by no means a return to the scene for a dusty old film series, as Evil Dead has boasted a formidable cult following that's only grown since the early 1980s.
Fans have clamored for Evil Dead sequels, remakes, games, and television shows thanks to the series' playful and inventive cross-dimensional storytelling and graphic violence portrayed through impressive practical special effects. The most important factor of the franchise is Bruce Campbell as Ashley J. Williams, who is again returning to the role of the charismatic protagonist with a cheeky sense of humor (though, it's perhaps more chin than cheek). The game's trailer was loaded with references and intriguing hints at gameplay. Who will survive Evil Dead?
10 Linda's Pendant
Fans may have spotted the looking glass pendant next to the Necronomicon in the trailer. Ash first gives Linda the pendant at the onset of the series, but its significance in the video game means gamers are potentially going to be able to play through the major scenes from the films, and even possibly the recently canceled Ash vs Evil Dead television series where the trinket makes a comeback.
Whether or not Linda's pendant will be a key item in the game is still yet to be seen, but it's still a cool easter egg for fans.
9 Kelly & The First Movie's Shotgun (Sort Of)
Kelly's bolt-action rifle is visually reminiscent of Ash's single barrel shotgun from the first Evil Dead film. While Ash is now synonymous with the sawed-off double-barrel shotgun and chainsaw (much like Doom Guy, the heroic space marine in Doom), the fact that he started off with a plainer firearm is often overlooked.
Kelly, played by Dana DeLorenzo in Ash vs Evil Dead, is seen leaning against Ash's car with a very similar looking weapon, perhaps in homage to the series' roots.
8 Hail To The (Literal) King
It looks like playable characters will span all of the series, including Lord Arthur from Army of Darkness. Played by Marcus Gilbert in the film, Arthur is not initially an ally to Ash, however, after the Deadites set siege to his castle, the Lord recognizes the need for any help he could muster to save his people.
Arthur is a cunning warlord, potent fighter, and brutal enemy to his foes, so his ability with a longsword will certainly be an asset against the Deadite droves.
7 Playable Deadites
As Boss Team Games, the game's publisher, explains on its website: "Take control of the powerful Kandarian Demon to hunt Ash and his friends while possessing Deadites, the environment, and even the survivors themselves as you seek to swallow their souls."
It remains to be seen how flexible this element will be, along with how much control players will have over the environment.
6 Scotty's Back
While there's no use in pointing fingers, if the first Evil Dead film were watched with an accusatory eye then Scotty's to blame for the whole Deadite invasion mess. Seeing how it was his idea for the group to sneak into the abandoned cabin where they uncovered the incantations that gave way to the hellish breach, it's good to see he's taking up arms to fight off the Kandarian ghoul army.
Scotty was played by Richard DeManicor in the first film and it's nice fan service to see his likeness make an appearance in the game. Is that pickaxe of his a Minecraft reference?
5 Different Weapon Types
If it's in any way related to Evil Dead, there's got to be a double-barrel shotgun. It looks like Ash hasn't sawed off the barrel to its final length, but that only implies there's going to be a whole arsenal of iconic weapons. 25 weapons, in fact.
An important part of the game, much like 2016's Friday the 13th, is collecting supplies, ammunition included, so if Ash runs out of shotgun shells he'll have more than just his "handy" chainsaw to rely on. Though, Ash needs his boomstick to really bring the ensemble together.
4 Multiplayer Mayhem
Just like a good horror movie, this game will be best enjoyed with friends. As the publisher puts it, "Work together as a team of four survivors, exploring, looting, crafting, managing your fear, and finding key artifacts to seal the breach between worlds."
With multiplayer co-op against an iconic horror movie villain that can also be controlled by players, this might seem like familiar mechanics for fans of the Dead by Daylight, which also features iconic horror villains. Times are good for classic 80s horror fans these days.
3 Photo Of Annie Knowby
Perhaps the splattered blood drew attention away from it at first, but next to the pile of tapes appears to be a photo of Annie Knowby from Evil Dead 2.
Annie, played by Sarah Berry, helped Ash to kill her mother who was possessed by the evil Deadites, transforming into an otherworldly monstrosity hell-bent on swallowing souls. Bummer.
2 The King Has Returned
Of course, the trailer begins with narration by Bruce Campbell, but it's good to finally see how the actor's likeness looks in the game. There's no Evil Dead without Ash, plain and simple. The film's remake put Ash in a post-credits scene only, which was acceptable simply because he was still played by Bruce Campbell.
If the remake had attempted to recast the protagonist of the series with a new actor, fans would likely have had lots to say about that. There's sure to be plenty of new catchphrases for Campbell to perform.
1 Groovy Easter Eggs Everywhere
It might be hard to see clearly while watching the trailer on YouTube, but the car, an Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale, makes its own cameo in the game. Once the image's brightness increases, it becomes apparent the license plate reads "GROOVY" and that in itself is quite groovy.
Small details like this are reassuring to longtime fans of the series because it shows that the game's makers are just as keen on the off-kilter sense of humor that accompanies the audaciously ultra-violent B-movie glory that is Evil Dead. If that translates to an exceptional multiplayer game, everyone wins (except the Deadites, hopefully).